Vol 54 No 16 | EQUATORIAL GUINEA See, they were out to get me 1st August 2013 President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo’s argument that the Spanish government under Prime Minister José María Aznar may have supported the 2004 ‘wonga coup’ gained new credence in July.
Vol 54 No 15 | CAMEROON Ready or not, here they come 16th July 2013 The President finally reveals the date of the delayed general and local elections that were supposed to take place in July 2012 Twice postponed, the elections are now scheduled for 30 September, President Paul Biya announced on 15 July. Election timetables are set in law but it is the President...
Vol 54 No 15 | CAMEROON A season in Elecam 16th July 2013 The new voting system will not help electoral registration, which is now closed Cameroon is adopting biometric technology for its new electoral register and the upcoming polls now set for 30 September will be different from previous ones. President Paul Biya’s...
Vol 54 No 14 | EQUATORIAL GUINEA L’etat, c’est nous 5th July 2013 The President and his family do well out of – and squabble over – the tiny country’s massive oil riches The elections on 26 May showed just how far President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo will go to stifle democratic opposition. The leading opposition party, the Convergencia para la...
Vol 54 No 14 | EQUATORIAL GUINEA As the oil goes, the gas arrives 5th July 2013 At international conferences on Equatorial Guinea, oilmen often praise its Mines Minister, Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima. However, his recent spate of contract-signing could be undone in the succession...
Vol 6 (AAC) No 9 | CONGO-KINSHASACHINAINDIA Help for the East 2nd July 2013 With European security support to be reduced in 2015, Kinshasa is counting on China and India to help the UN mission and Congolese troops India and China are offering to help President Joseph Kabila’s government secure its eastern borders following a series of bilateral meetings in June in Kinshasa. These offers follow...
Vol 6 (AAC) No 9 | CONGO-KINSHASA Human rights abuses in Katanga 2nd July 2013 Amnesty International publishes a damning report on the results of mining operations in Congo-Kinshasa ‘Mining operations in the DRC have resulted in decades of abuse against artisanal miners and the neighbouring communities,’ according to Audrey Gaughran, Director of Global Issues at Amnesty...
Vol 6 (AAC) No 9 | GABONCHINA Tax troubles but business buoyant 2nd July 2013 Despite the legal actions and environmental problems, relations between the governments of Gabon and China are still strong Punitive action against a Chinese oil company following a tax dispute has not undercut Libreville-Beijing ties. Although the government revoked Sinopec-owned Addax Petroleum’s oil permit in Obangue in...
Vol 6 (AAC) No 9 | EQUATORIAL GUINEA Chinese contractors’ delight 1st July 2013 Multiple major contracts are handed out but the details of the deals remain obscure China Dalian International Economic and Technical Cooperation Group (CDIG) is the primary beneficiary of the close ties between Beijing and Malabo. With no debate about costs or transparency,...
Vol 6 (AAC) No 9 | EQUATORIAL GUINEA Obiang loves China 27th June 2013 Billions in non-transparent contracts have gone to Chinese companies and the opposition claims that Beijing is supporting the regime’s oppressive tactics China stands accused of cooperating with the government of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to limit civil rights in Equatorial Guinea and to suppress the political opposition.... READ FOR FREE